Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, Registrar of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), attributes the breakdown of Nigeria’s technical framework to the 1980s.
He made the remarks during a monitoring trip of the current NABTEB National Business Certificate (NBC) and National Technical Certificate (NTC) examinations.
He regretted the erosion of technical education infrastructure, which began in the 1980s.
“From the early 1980s until roughly a few years ago, Nigeria’s technological framework crumbled. And we didn’t realize we were in trouble until 2020, when there was Covid. Then we realized that we had a long way to go. We can’t even sustain what we have, let alone innovate.”
“So, from 2000 to 2020, we know there is something wrong. We are only a consuming nation, and the only way forward is to implement the TVET,” he stated.
Mohammed also urged the Federal Government to reopen trade and vocational training centers across the country to boost economic growth and close the skills gap among Nigerian youths.
“This clearly shows that no country can afford to neglect what we refer to as trade centers, vocational centers, and technical institutions. However, in Nigeria, we are just talking about technical colleges now. Where are the trade and vocational centers?
“The best thing the government can do for us in our nation is to revitalize trade and vocational facilities, which are essential in any economy.
The primary drivers of every economy are artisans, craftsmen, and technologists. But where are they? The majority of those working in industry as craftsmen today have not been trained to do so.”
Mohammed also underlined the federal government’s commitment to supporting institutions like the Federal Technical College (FTC) in Yaba, while expressing worry over the situation of technical education in Kaduna.
“This school has a long history of impacting the lives of many Nigerians. I applaud the management team. This institution and the Government Technical College Kaduna are the two biggest technical colleges in the country, and to my amazement, Yaba is still standing, whereas Kaduna is no longer there.
“We were in Kaduna last week, and I want to encourage you to continue with what you are doing,” stated the man.
Meanwhile, Adebimpe Ajani, principal of FTC Yaba, has called for additional government and private sector funding to strengthen the school’s facilities and personnel levels.
“Well, we obviously need additional funds. We need additional teachers. So, those are the places, and we’re creating some hostels, classes, and other facilities since there are so many people who want to come in.
“And we don’t want to prevent anyone from entering. So, we need all the help we can get,” she explained.
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